Grimston, Saxelbye & Shoby Parish Council

Minutes of the GRIMSTON, SAXELBYE & SHOBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held MONDAY 27^th July 2020 @ 19.30 via Zoom

 

Present: Chair - Cllr Etta Madocks Wright, Cllr Rupert Marsh, Cllr Richard Easom, Cllr Tony Lomas, Cllr Fleur Read, District Cllr Ronan Browne for Frisby Ward, Cllr Joe Orson Leader of Melton Borough Council, Clerk Janice Kemp and 6 members of the public.

1. Apologies: None
2. Cllr Madocks Wright welcomed everyone to the meeting and briefed the protocols for the on line meeting, including the information that the meeting would be recorded.
3. During the Public questions and comments on items on the agenda, Cllr Orson gave an overview of the financial effect of Coronavirus on the council, with the budget being adrift by £350K-£450K. The Secretary of State has previously stated that money will be available, and a 4^th tranche of money has been proposed, the amount coming to MBC is not enough to cover the extra expenditure. Cllr Orson raised that there maybe significant cuts in the future.

Cllr Orson briefed the audience on the Devolution Bill, currently at white paper stage. This could give more power to local councils and parish councils. Three counties are trialling the proposals. For this area it could mean 2 councils, each of a 350K - 450K population. Where boundaries are drawn could be interesting, e.g. Rutland has a higher Band D rate than its neighbour MBC. It was unclear where efficiencies would occur. All is in the melting pot.

4. Declarations of Interest on items on the agenda - none
5. The Councillors unanimously approved the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of 13^th July 2020 and these were signed by Cllr Madocks Wright.

 

6. Matters Arising from Minutes 22^nd June 2020 and from 13^th July 2020
   1. Village Green registration update – no further information from Mr Layzell-Smith of Hunters Law, Clerk Kemp to chase.
   2. Village Water Trough protection update – Toby Ebbs of MBC has confirmed on email of 3^rd July

We (MBC) would only apply an Article 4 Direction if the trough is directly under threat. This application for 2 new dwellings does not affect the trough. If the trough ever comes under direct threat of removal, I (MBC) will seek measures to apply an Article 4 Direction. No action for parish council unless anything changes.

1. Initiation of second moratorium stage for the community right to bid for The Black Horse

• The email to trigger the second moratorium has been sent to Ryan Ebdale of MBC on 20^th July and receipt confirmed – with Ryan Ebdale stating that he will now write to the owner to advise of the intention to Bid and confirm the timings and process. Clerk Kemp has informed Ryan Ebdale of Mr M Petty’s details as representative of the community right to bid group.
• The ACV register has been updated; this includes the Full Moratorium end date of 14.12.2020.
• The Cllrs agreed that the right-hand half of the noticeboard opposite Red House Farm is available for the Community Group use. The left-hand side being for the Parish Council information.

·         Cllr Madocks Wright has received an email from GRC & GRP Tribunals, Leicester – First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber)  on 23^rd July which was read verbatim……

CR/2020/0006; Haydn David Wakefield vs Melton Borough Council

 

Dear Grimston and Saxelbye & Shoby Parish Council,

 The Tribunal has before it an appeal against a decision of Melton Borough Council to list  ‘The Black Horse, Main Street, Grimston, Leicestershire.’ as asset of community value . I understand that you were Nominator.

 

As you were directly involved in the process which resulted in Melton Borough Council decision, you:

 

• May want to join the proceedings so that you can make representations to the Tribunal.  If you do wish to be joined to the appeal, please contact me and I will ask the Tribunal’s Registrar to make appropriate directions. There is no need for a formal application to join; an email/letter stating “I/we wish to join this appeal” will suffice.

 

• May want to make written submissions or provide a witness statement. If you wish to do either of these please ensure you send your document to the Tribunal office by 6 August 2020, the Tribunal office will forward it to the parties in the appeal so it can be included in the bundle of documents on which the Tribunal’s decision will be made.

After discussion including that the Parish Council needs to restate the ACV status to the tribunal and not having clarity on why this was being taken to tribunal, Cllr Madocks Wright asked the Councillors which option to progress, if any. Cllr Browne recommended following the first option as this provides structure for the response in line with the ways of working for the court.

The Councillors unanimously supported progressing the first option. Clerk Kemp to confirm this by Email to GRC.

 

7. Matters arising How can the parish council be most effective in relation to planning applications? As the Clerk is new to the role and would like up to date training on planning - Jim Worley, Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery was contacted. He has offered that following presentations to several Parish Councils he would be happy to do so for Grimston (Though these days it would need to be by video conferencing if possible). He can outline the role in planning applications, Neighbourhood Plans and the system as a whole. All councillors, except Cllr Lomas, as well as the Clerk are interested in progressing this, Clerk Kemp to contact Jim Worley.

 

8. Correspondence
   1. Email received relating to Community funding for communities and transport. There is funding available if required where roads have been closed due to coronavirus e.g. pop up cycle lanes, signage for schools etc. Councillors agreed that this is not applicable and no action is required.
   2. LRALC guidance review for Play areas received:

• A COVID-19 Risk Assessment must be carried out. Clerk Kemp to action.
• A full inspection of all equipment should be carried out and documented to ensure that it is safe to use. This has been done in May by the auditor and in June by Cllr Lomas.
• Signage should be put up, requesting that people use own hand sanitizer and socially distance in the playground etc. Clerk Kemp to action.
  1. Correspondence has taken place on the phone boxes in Saxelbye and Grimston

The Grimston phone box is owned by the Parish council and houses a defibrillator,  Laura Smith is the custodian and we have just put in new pads from Community Heartbeat. This needs a clean and paint and Richard Cowdell has the red paint and Clerk Kemp now has the gold paint, which will be passed to Richard. Richard has plans to carry out the painting work at Grimston with a couple of volunteers.

The Saxelbye phone box is currently owned by Community Heartbeat and as the defibrillator is not inside the kiosk they are more than happy to pass the kiosk to the parish council – for a donation to the heartbeat charity. The mobile signal is poorer in Saxelbye, which meant this phone box’s line continued longer than in Grimston and may explain why the defibrillator is not housed in the kiosk. The councillors agreed for Clerk Kemp to complete the paperwork and discuss a donation once this is completed.

This also needs a clean and paint, there may be volunteers in the village. There is currently no paint for this, maybe there will be enough after completing Grimston or Clerk Kemp can try and apply for some.

The defibrillator is checked monthly regularly by Neil Bailey Clerk Kemp to make contact.

1. Several Emails relating to The Local Electricity Bill have been received. As our council bodies and higher tiers than parish councils have supported this Bill, no further action required from this Parish council.
2. Coronavirus update Email are received weekly from John Sinott, Chief Executive Leicestershire County Council

Melton has the lowest rate of Covid-19 cases in the county. The rate of cumulative cases is significantly lower than the England average.  The latest data shows no deaths involving Covid-19 were seen in Melton in the last seven weeks, from week 22 to 28 respectively. 

And from the ONS, with more detail for this area is that from March in the Asfordby, Old Dalby, Frisby area – which includes Grimston, there have been a total of 6 Covid-19 deaths, 1 in April and 5 in May.

1. Clerk Kemp had a request for the email from Mr H Wakefield of 14^th July 2020 to be sent to Mr M Petty, - as this is on the minutes from 13^th July the Councillors see no reason to refuse this request and Clerk Kemp to forward to Mr M Petty.

 

9. Website Arrangements update – Clerk Kemp gave an update- There is still no response from Stuart Inkley. The AGAR has been loaded onto the websites, computer and mobile with the assistance of Mr Rana’s friend Angelo. It is now on the website under Information > Financial information > Financial reports > 2019/2020> AGAR 2019/2020.   Everything that is vital to be there is present on the pc and mobile version now. But it is time consuming and not user friendly. Alternatives agreed to be progressed – such as Wix, and comune2comune.

1. Finance  - presented by Clerk Kemp

144. Deposit account 6^th April of £2,144.87 is of 6^th July £1 more – interest paid 5^th
145. Current account

Date	Balance
6th April 2020	£3875.82
6th July 2020	£5394.98

 

1. Financial update 1^st June to 30^th June 2020 was presented as below, all cheques presented at the last full meeting have been posted. The cheque for DCK accounting was signed outside of the meeting due to the payment due date.

Date	Name	Description	Payment
23/06/2020	e.on	Electricity invoices April & May	116.82
23/06/2020	LRALC	Webinar training for 3 council members for virtual mtgs	60.00
23/06/2020	ROSPA play safety	Annual inspection of village green play area	82.20
23/06/2020	BDG mowing contractors	Mowing for May	50.00
23/06/2020	e.on	street lighting maintenance 1/4 ending 30/06	44.64
23/06/2020	Grimston PCC	19/20 contribution to mowing and ground maintenance	125.00
23/06/2020	Saxelbye Parish PCC	19/20 contribution to mowing and ground maintenance	125.00
23/06/2020	J. Kemp	Chairman’s expenses for outgoing Clerk's leaving gifts	49.50
23/06/2020	J. Kemp	Zoom monthly subscription 15.06 to 14.07	14.39
23/06/2020	J. Kemp	NETT Salary May and June	280.00
23/06/2020	HMRC	PAYE for J. Kemp salary for May and June	70.00
23/06/2020	DCK Accounting Solutions	Initial set up and payroll for May/June for Clerk Kemp	91.80

 

1. Payments for July approved as below.

Name	Description	Payment
Caroline Hartley	£16 / month from March to June for coronavirus support phone	64.00
Community Heartbeat	adult defibrillation electrodes shelf life 21-24 months	35.00
e.on	Electricity invoice for June for street lighting	57.45
BDG mowing contractors	Mowing for June	50.00

 

2021. A 4-month review 1^st April to 27th July 2020 versus budget has been carried out, with items above and below budget reflecting some of the effects of coronavirus. The spreadsheet has been sent to councillors, showing actual costs from April to July and budgeted forecast August 2020 to March 2021. Key point is that the budget is £7,965.00 with a precept of £6,400. The review shows the current running rate is around £6,000 with an assumption of no costs on elections, repairs and trees and no unbudgeted costs. A further 8-month review will be carried out – end November.

1. Planning Matters.

20/00656/FUL 30m x  40m arena for dressage training – Saxelbye was discussed following a visit of 3 Councillors on 24^th July.

Clerk Kemp to put comments onto the MBC portal that there are no objections from the councillors. It can’t be seen from the road and that drainage needs to be better than previous.

No other planning updates.

12. Any Other Business.

Cllr Orson briefed that MBC are to ban sky lanterns and helium balloons from all council owned properties e.g. Melton Country Park.

Cllr Lomas reported fly-tipping on the A6006, near the Shoby Lane junction. Clerk Kemp to report this to MBC.

Items for the next agenda – AGAR public rights of inspection to include 1^st September & Clerk Kemp probationary period review.

 

13. Date and Venue of the next Meeting – 24^th August 2020 – on line.

Parish Meetings 2020 28^th September, 26^th October, 30^th November – these will be held either in the Parishes’ Village Halls or by online arrangements.

Parish Meetings 2021 dates – January 11^th, February 22^nd, March 29th

Annual Parish Meeting April 12^th 2021

Annual Parish Council Meeting AGM May 17^th 2021